DARPA Aiming To Develop Flying Cars By 2015

DARPA, responsible for developing new technology for the US military, has released a solicitation calling for prototypes of flying cars. Called the Transformer (TX) project, DARPA has listed several requirements for the vehicle which they want to test in the air by 2015. The vehicle should have a 1,000-pound capacity with the all-terrain abilities of SUVs and can carry four fully suited troops. It should be able to perform vertical takeoffs and landings and travel 250 miles on a single tank of gas. The Transformer should have automated takeoff and landing and should be easily operated by any troop who is able to drive a military road vehicle.

DARPA has allotted around $55 million to the development and testing of these prototypes.